This program utilizes qualified non-profit youth- and veteran-serving organizations to carry out appropriate natural and cultural resource conservation, education, volunteer service and education…

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) a Cooperative Agreement totaling $133,334 under the Youth and Veteran Organizations Conservation Activities program (CFDA 15.931), effective July 7, 2025, through December 31, 2026. RMYC will provide workforce development and job training for deaf and hard of hearing youth aged 18–25 through hands-on conservation work in National Park Service lands located in New Mexico. The organization will form trained crews in partnership with local entities to address deferred maintenance, infrastructure improvements, and visitor experience enhancements through trail work, safety improvements, facility repairs, and preservation activities.

The project directly supports the Department of the Interior's operational objectives by maintaining park accessibility and safety for the visiting public while simultaneously delivering critical workforce development services. The cooperative agreement benefits private and public non-profit institutions, academic organizations, state and local government agencies, and youth development organizations focused on natural and cultural resource conservation. Through structured conservation service activities, the award enables individual participants, families, students, and the general public to benefit from improved park infrastructure and enhanced employment pathways for underrepresented populations in the conservation sector.

This program utilizes qualified non-profit youth- and veteran-serving organizations to carry out appropriate natural and cultural resource conservation, education, volunteer service and education projects on department of the interior lands through authorized national park service programs. This project directly supports secretarial orders by helping keep parks open and operational through hands-on work addressing deferred maintenance and improving essential infrastructure. This project will provide workforce development and job training for deaf and hard of hearing youth aged 18-25 through hands-on experience in national parks. Crews will be formed in partnership with local organizations to focus on maintenance and visitor experience improvements. By engaging crew in trail work, safety enhancements, preservation, and visitor center facility repairs, this project enhances visitor experiences while ensuring park resources remain accessible and safe for the visiting public. Beneficiaries include private non-profit institutions and organizations public and private non-profit academic institutions state and local government agencies quasi-public non-profit institutions and organizations that support youth and young adult career training and development, and education in the areas of natural and or cultural resource conservation and management. Individuals families students and the general public will receive a benefit from the development and execution of these programs and projects.